Mt Tabor Brewing Hires Ben Dobler For Its Portland Expansion

Ben Dobler wins a Silver Medal at the 2013 Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers in Chicago, Illinois.

In April 2014 Brewpublic reported on the news that Mt. Tabor Brewing was returning to Portland, Oregon from its current home across the river in Vancouver, Washington. Now almost two years later Mt. Tabor founder, Eric Surface, has announced that he has lured longtime Portland brewer Ben Dobler from Widmer Brothers Brewing to become his new Head Brewer at the forthcoming production brewery at at 124 SE 11th Avenue in Portland.

Mt Tabor Brewing is proud to announce Ben Dobler has accepted the position of Head Brewer. After a productive and exciting career at Widmer Brothers that spanned over two decades, Dobler will direct all brewing operations that includes, the new Mt Tabor Brewing production facility in Portland, OR and Mt Tabor Brewing and Pizza in Vancouver, WA. Eric Surface, owner and co-founder of Mt Tabor Brewing and Dobler met in high school, and when Surface started the search for a new brewer that had a mix of experience and bravery, Dobler was the first person that he thought of. “It is awesome that craft beer brought us to this moment after knowing each other for so many years,” says Surface. Dobler has mastered brewing techniques that support limitless styles, but he is excited to bring his creative side to a new brewery. His passion for well crafted beer is only surpassed by his commitment to quality. Dobler spent his time at Widmer Brothers Brewing Co now Craft Brew Alliance, participating in production brewing, domestic and international brand support, and most recently managing Craft Brew Alliance’s innovation and production development. Dobler is also involved in community based brewing activities such as Widmer Brothers Brewing Collaborator Project and the Timbers Army Fermentation Corp.

With Dobler’s leadership, Mt Tabor Brewing will have a line up of craft beer available year round, backed by seasonal themes and a later addition of a barrel room. Expect bold collaboration beers with local and regional breweries, thanks to Dobler’s relationships and respect in the craft beer community.

Mt Tabor Brewing is in the process of expanding to a 15 barrel system at 124 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR, in which the first brewing session will take place in the next two months. The current 7 barrel system will remain in Vancouver, WA. in which the downtown Vancouver tasting room will be open through June. The Portland brewery will have a tasting room, an opening date has yet to be set and will be managed by Nicole Kasten, founder of Beer Connections. Kasten recently left her career as a Corporate Trainer to follow the dream of pouring beer. Mt Tabor Brewing and Pizza will be open in Vancouver, WA later in 2016.

About Mt Tabor Brewing
Mt Tabor Brewing is a small craft brewery located in the heart of the Vancouver business district. We got our brewing roots on Mt Tabor in Portland where we eventually opened our first location in 2010. Opened in Vancouver October of 2011 so we could do double duty between the brewery and full time jobs while growing our hobby into a full time operation in the very near future. We are expanding with a return to Portland in 2016. We’re brewed locally to be enjoyed locally.